Joanna James
Maldives is the holiday paradise for tropical island lovers with the most beautiful setting of white sand beaches, sparkling blue waters, and the most luxurious resorts.
The warm and clear waters surrounding the 26 atolls scattered like pieces of jewels in the Indian Ocean are perfect for a snorkelling trip. There are many vibrant coral reefs rich in marine life that can make your snorkelling experience worthwhile. You can book a snorkelling live aboard trip or choose to stay at a resort with a good in-house reef. Most of the resorts in Maldives have their own coral reefs and offer facilities for guided snorkelling trips and private lessons for beginners. You are most likely to spot an array of beautiful marine creatures like colourful reef fish, manta rays, sea turtles, and even sharks. Night snorkelling is also a unique experience for the more challenging minds looking to unravel the mysteries of the ocean in the dark.
The Maldivian dive sites are home to many different shark species. The magnificent whale sharks are the favourites out of the lot. A whale shark can be as big as 10 meters in length and it is truly a marvelous experience to dive alongside such a huge and beautiful creature. They can be spotted on the western side of Maldives during the northwest monsoon season falling through May to December, and on the eastern side during the months from December to April, which is the southeast monsoon season. Including the whale sharks 26 shark species have been identified swimming close to the Maldivian dive sites. You need to be on alert when you are swimming with hammerhead sharks, tiger sharks, and oceanic whitetip sharks, as they can be dangerous. There are also smaller reef shark species like blacktip reef sharks, grey reef sharks, and nurse sharks.
Water sports are the main activity in Maldives for the adventure-seeking tourist. The list of options runs very long, including kayaking, parasailing, paddle boating, sailing, kite surfing, and jet skiing. These sports are open to experts and beginners alike. There are also more recreational activities like riding on a banana boat, walking underwater, and riding in dinghies or the glass bottomed boats.
If you need to get the real flavour of Maldivian life, the best way to do so is by paying a visit to the local fish market. There you will have the opportunity to mingle with locals and see how they carry out their daily business. The local fish market offers the best of their fresh catch including tuna, barracuda, trevally, and groupers. If you are tactful enough you can even ask for a chance to fillet your own fish.
Last but not least, your vacation will not be complete until you treat yourself to a fully relaxed day on a secluded peaceful beach, basking in the sun and sipping a cold drink. Some resorts focus mainly on water sports and activities while some are specialized for relaxing and privacy. The best option is to choose one of the resorts that offer both luxuries such as the Niyama Private Islands Maldives. You can also try out a private picnic or romantic dinner on the beach.
A true believer that the pen is a mighty weapon, ventures into reaching the minds of every reader with the earnest hope of leaving an indelible stream of thought.
A travel writer who has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world.
